Implicit Biases in Society Seminar

3 units

Drop deadline: 5:00 p.m. the day after the first class meeting. We are all biased, and most of us do not know it. This course will illuminate two things: i) you do not know what you do not know; and ii) what you do not know can indeed hurt you ( or someone else). In this seminar, we will uncover the hidden influences shaping our perceptions and look into the world of unconscious biases—subtle yet powerful preferences and prejudices operating below our conscious awareness. We will explore situations that reveal how biases, stereotypes and gut feelings silently influence our judgment and behavior. E xamples of biases in everyday life including color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression/sexual orientation, race, religion, will be examined. We will look at examples of how biases can show up in institutions—criminal law, education, employment, healthcare, housing, and the legal profession. After establishing awareness, we conclude with actionable strategies to interrupt and disrupt harmful biases, with the goal of fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment. So—get uncomfortable, challenge your perceptions, and join us on this eye-opening journey toward understanding and mitigating implicit biases. The course will meet once a week. Laptops are permitted. A maximum of two absences are allowed. Class participation is required. The final grade will be based on attendance, class participation, weekly journal reflections, a draft paper, a short class presentation, and a final paper. [BCCCR Requirement: this course contains 5 or more hours of BCCCR instruction.]